You have worked hard to build your career, and you deserve to be judged on what you contribute, not on your gender. When an employer passes you over, pays you less, or pushes you out because of who you are, the impact hits you in ways that go beyond your paycheck.
A Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP fights for employees across LA County who have been treated unfairly because of their sex, gender identity, or gender expression.
Our attorneys handle gender discrimination claims in Los Angeles Superior Court, the Central District of California, and before the California Civil Rights Department and the EEOC. We work from our office on South Figueroa Street in the Financial District, and every consultation is confidential.
Call (855) 255-5515 or (213) 334-7000 to speak with a gender discrimination attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP.
Why Do I Need a Los Angeles Gender Discrimination Lawyer?
A Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyer is essential because discrimination is often subtle and difficult to prove. A lawyer connects patterns of being overlooked, underpaid, or excluded into a formal legal claim.
They look past the employer's defense, which typically reframes discriminatory decisions as performance- or budget-based, to examine the evidence behind those explanations.
A Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP connects those patterns and turns them into a legal claim.
Your Employer Will Have a Different Version of Events
The moment you raise a concern, your employer's focus shifts to building a defense. That often means reframing decisions as performance-based, restructuring-related, or budget-driven. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP looks past those explanations and examines the evidence behind them.
California Protects More Than Federal Law Does
California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA, Gov. Code § 12900 et seq.) prohibits gender discrimination by employers with five or more workers. That threshold is far lower than the 15-employee minimum required by the federal government under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
FEHA also protects a wider range of gender-related characteristics than federal law. Those include:
- Sex and gender
- Gender identity and gender expression
- Pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions
- Sexual orientation and marital status
- Protective hairstyles associated with race
Your gender discrimination attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP will evaluate which laws apply to your situation and build the strongest case around them.
What Does Gender Discrimination Look Like in a Los Angeles Workplace?
Gender discrimination can show up at every stage of employment, from hiring to termination. It does not always involve overt comments or obvious bias. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP looks for patterns and decisions that reveal a discriminatory motive, even when the employer tries to hide it.
Common Forms of Workplace Gender Discrimination in Los Angeles
- Paying women less than men for the same work or denying equal bonuses and benefits
- Passing over qualified employees for promotions based on gender rather than performance
- Asking improper interview questions about marriage, children, or family planning
- Excluding employees from meetings, projects, or client opportunities because of gender
- Enforcing dress codes or grooming standards that target one gender disproportionately
These patterns are pervasive almost everywhere, but they are especially common in industries concentrated in Los Angeles, from entertainment and media companies in Hollywood and Burbank to financial firms in Downtown LA and Century City. A Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP identifies the evidence that connects these actions to your protected status.
The Glass Ceiling Is Still a Legal Issue
Many employees in Los Angeles experience a barrier that prevents them from advancing past a certain level, despite being qualified. When that barrier exists because of gender, it can support a discrimination claim.
Your attorney evaluates whether a pattern of promotion denials, exclusion from leadership, or unequal access to mentorship reflects unlawful bias.
How Does a Gender Discrimination Claim Work in California?
Filing a gender discrimination claim in California involves specific steps and deadlines. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP manages the entire process and keeps you informed at every stage.
Filing With the California Civil Rights Department
California requires an administrative step before you can file a lawsuit for gender discrimination. Your attorney files a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) and can request an immediate right-to-sue notice. California's SHARE Act (AB 9) provides three years from the discriminatory act to file with the CRD.
Filing in Court
Once your attorney receives the right-to-sue notice, you generally have one year to file a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Hill Street for state claims or 90 days for gender discrimination claims filed in the Central District of California courthouse on West First Street. There are critical nuances in the law that may affect your claim, so it's best to have an experienced employment lawyer in LA to evaluate your case.
Building the Evidence
Your attorney gathers pay records, performance reviews, internal communications, promotion histories, and witness accounts. Evidence that shows similarly situated employees of a different gender were treated more favorably is often central to these cases.
What Compensation Can I Seek in a Gender Discrimination Case?
California does not cap compensatory or punitive damages in most FEHA cases. That gives juries the ability to award the full value of what you lost. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP documents every category of harm and builds the evidence to support it.
- Back pay for lost wages, bonuses, and benefits
- Front pay for future earnings when returning to the job is not realistic
- Compensation for emotional distress, anxiety, and reputational harm
- Punitive damages when the employer acted with malice or willful disregard
- Attorney's fees and litigation costs
California's Equal Pay Act (Labor Code § 1197.5) provides an additional tool for gender-based pay claims. It prohibits employers from paying employees less than workers of a different sex, race, or ethnicity for substantially similar work. Your attorney determines whether this law strengthens your claim.
Why Los Angeles Employees Trust Greenberg Gross LLP With Gender Discrimination Cases
Choosing a lawyer for a discrimination case is deeply personal. You want someone who knows the law but who also genuinely cares about what happened to you. Here is why employees across Los Angeles turn to Greenberg Gross LLP.
Trial Lawyers Who Left Big Law to Build Something Better
Greenberg Gross LLP's founders left a global law firm to create a practice with major-firm resources and the personal attention that larger firms struggle to provide. The firm's founding case ended with a $50 million verdict on a counterclaim.
Genuine Commitment to Every Client
Our attorneys build real relationships with the people they represent. Clients consistently describe our team as responsive, thorough, and personally invested in outcomes. We keep you informed throughout and make sure you feel heard.
Deep Roots in Los Angeles and Orange County
Our LA office on South Figueroa Street sits in the Financial District, minutes from the courthouse. Our Costa Mesa headquarters gives us an equally strong presence in Orange County.
Awards and Recognition
- Super Lawyers selections across multiple practice areas
- AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- Members of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyers and Top Plaintiff Litigation Firm
- Featured on NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, AMC Networks, and Oxygen Network
These honors reflect a consistent record of litigation results and genuine care for the people we represent.
Ask Greenberg Gross LLP About Gender Discrimination in Los Angeles
Q: What happens after I contact a gender discrimination lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP?
A: During a confidential consultation, an attorney reviews the details of your situation and identifies which laws may apply. There is no obligation, and the conversation is completely private. If we take your case, it's because we believe we can win it. We begin gathering evidence and building your claim right away.
Q: How strong does my evidence need to be before I talk to an LA discrimination lawyer?
A: You do not need a complete case before reaching out. Many clients come to us with a gut feeling that something is wrong, but are not sure what evidence they have. Our attorneys know where to look. A consultation helps you find out where you stand.
Q: Can I sue my employer for gender discrimination in California?
A: Yes. California law prohibits employers from making job-related decisions based on gender, gender identity, or gender expression. If your employer discriminated against you, a Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP can evaluate your claim during a confidential consultation.
Q: How much does a gender discrimination lawyer in Los Angeles cost?
A: Greenberg Gross LLP handles many gender discrimination cases on a contingency basis. That means you pay no legal fees unless your case results in a recovery. Our attorneys explain the fee structure during your first conversation.
Q: What if my employer is retaliating against me for complaining about gender discrimination?
A: Retaliation for reporting discrimination is illegal. California's rebuttable presumption law (SB 497) presumes retaliation when adverse action occurs within 90 days of a protected complaint. Your attorney can pursue both the original discrimination claim and a separate retaliation claim.
FAQs Answered by Our Los Angeles Discrimination Attorneys
Do I have a gender discrimination case if my employer never said anything about my gender?
Yes, you may still have a valid claim. Gender discrimination does not require explicit statements. A pattern of unequal pay, denied promotions, or exclusion from opportunities compared to employees of a different gender can support a claim even without direct comments.
Can men file gender discrimination claims in Los Angeles?
Yes. FEHA protects all employees from discrimination based on gender, regardless of sex. Men, women, and nonbinary individuals all have the right to bring claims when their employer treats them unfairly because of their gender.
What is the difference between gender discrimination and sexual harassment?
Gender discrimination involves adverse job actions like firing, pay cuts, or denial of promotions based on gender. Sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual conduct or gender-based hostility that creates a hostile work environment. Both are illegal, and both can exist in the same situation.
Can I file a gender discrimination claim if I work for a small company in Los Angeles?
Yes. FEHA applies to employers with five or more workers for discrimination claims. Harassment claims apply to all employers regardless of size. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP determines which protections cover your situation.
How do I prove my employer paid me less because of my gender in California?
California's Equal Pay Act requires your employer to prove that any pay difference is based on legitimate factors like seniority, education, or merit. Your attorney gathers pay data, job descriptions, and comparator evidence to build the case. The burden shifts to the employer once a pay disparity is shown.
Does Greenberg Gross LLP handle gender discrimination cases outside of Los Angeles?
Yes. Our team handles gender discrimination cases throughout Southern California, including Orange County, where our headquarters is in Costa Mesa. We also maintain offices in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
Contact a Los Angeles Gender Discrimination Lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP Today
You should not have to accept being treated as less than your colleagues because of your gender. California law is on your side, and the attorneys at Greenberg Gross LLP have the trial experience and genuine commitment to hold your employer accountable.
Call (855) 255-5515 or (213) 334-7000 for a confidential consultation with a gender discrimination attorney who will listen, take your concerns seriously, and help you figure out the right next step.